The Best Playgrounds in Sydney Guaranteed to Keep the Kids Happy

Parenting and playgrounds go together like wine and cheese. No matter where you are in your child-raising journey, it’s a given that you’ll be spending a huge chunk of time in a park. The best playgrounds in Sydney offer a mix of inclusive design, age-appropriate equipment and areas, plenty of shade from the sun and of course, standout features including rope courses, water play and more.

Ask any parent, and they’ll tell you A) that your kids will tire of going to the same playground again and again and B) there is nothing better than finding an amazing new one to add to the rotation. 

So, if you’re wondering where the best playgrounds in Sydney are to keep the kids entertained, we’ve scoured high and low and rounded up the best ten in town. 

Best Playgrounds in Sydney at a Glance

• Best new playground: Shannon’s Paddock, Parramatta
• Best beachside playgrounds: Freshwater Beach Reserve, Clontarf Reserve
• Best water play: Darling Harbour Playground, Domain Creek Playground
• Best inclusive playgrounds: Livvi’s Place, Kellyville
• Best for older kids: Wadanggari Park, Inglis Park

The Best Playgrounds in Sydney

Shannon’s Paddock District Playground, Parramatta

Parramatta’s new Shannons Paddock District Playground is officially open and brining a whole new level of excitement for kids of all ages. Inspired by the area’s industrial past and the former Shannon’s Brick, Tile and Pottery Factory, the playground features a factory-themed play structure complete with climbing walls, a high-ropes course and nets, multiple slides and swings, a basket swing, and an in-ground trampoline as well as picnic and seating areas for parents to relax while the kids explore.

The playground is the first stage of the Parramatta Council’s Shannons Paddock Masterplan, with the space shaped by community feedback. Future stages will include walking paths, natural areas and connections across the site.

Best for: Mixed ages
Highlights: Climbing wall, ropes course
Location: 14a Darcy Road, Westmead

Freshwater Beach Reserve

Fancy your playground with a side of sea breeze and one of Sydney’s best beaches right at your feet? Freshwater Beach has just launched a beautiful new marine-themed playground, just in time for the summer holidays, and it’s nothing short of incredible. 

Designed for kids of all ages, it has slides, sensory and musical elements, monkey bars, swings, climbing areas, and a nature trail. The accessible playground includes shade sails and fencing for added safety. New barbecues, picnic shelters, pathways, and a timber lookout deck with captivating views complement the playground.

Best for: Toddlers and early primary school kids
Highlights: Water play, flying fox, shade, cafes nearby
Location: 80 Undercliff Road, Freshwater

Darling Harbour Playground

Darling Harbour Playground is the crown jewel on the Sydney playground scene, and once you check it out, you’ll immediately know why. With breathtaking water views, the park caters to kids of all ages and stages. 

During the warmer months, kids can cool off with water pumps, streams, and jets, navigate an eight-meter-wide slide, and tackle various climbing structures, including ropes and a flying fox. Just remember to pack a spare change of clothes! 

There’s a sandpit with a sand digger, balance ropes, and a 21-metre flying fox. The newly added Bay and Wave zones provide fun challenges for older children with decks, ramps, bridges, and high climbing towers. The playground has loads of seating for parents to sit down as they supervise, plus the area is packed with cafes for snacks and coffee.

Best for: Mixed ages
Highlights: Water play, climbing structures
Location: 1-25 Darling Harbour Street, Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour

Stoker Park, Castlecrag

Stepping into Stoker Park feels like you’re entering an enchanted fairy garden. Situated in the secluded bushland of Castlecrag, the playground is suitable for all ages and an area that encourages your kids’ imagination to run wild. 

The park’s castle-inspired theme, which is a nod to the suburb’s early 20th-century architectural style, features swings, slides, and beautiful public art created from old wharf timbers. There are also picnic tables and open green spaces for families to relax.

Best for: Toddlers and primary school-aged children
Highlights: Nature play, public art
Location: Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag

Lyne Park, Rose Bay

After undergoing an extensive refurbishment in 2024, Lyne Park in Rose Bay is easily one of the easts favourite haunts. The biggest upgrade is the flying boat-themed centrepiece, an homage to the area’s aviation history. It lets kids climb, enjoy imaginative play, and pretend to be pilots. 

Further upgrades include improved swings, a double flying fox, a water play zone, a sensory area, and a nature-inspired play area.

Best for: Mixed ages
Highlights: Flying boat centrepiece, sensory area
Location: Vickery Avenue, New South Head Road, Rose Bay 

Livvi’s Place 

Livvi’s Place in Kellyville is one of the most popular parks in Sydney thanks to its inclusive playground, which has been designed for children of all abilities. It’s wheelchair-friendly and has swings, slides, water play areas, climbing equipment, and sensory-friendly spaces, making it accessible and fun for everyone. With parking, shaded seating, safe fencing, and barbecue facilities, it’s a welcoming space for the community to come together. 

There are many Livvi’s Place playgrounds around Australia, including Five Dock, Ryde and Gladesville. After losing their 18-month-old daughter to a rare disease, John and Justine Perkins channelled their grief into creating a beautiful play space. Livvi’s Place was designed as an inclusive playground for children of all abilities. 

Best for: Children of all abilities
Highlights: Wheelchair-friendly, water play
Location: Marella Avenue, Kellyville

Inglis Park, Randwick

Dubbed the mega-fun park of the Eastern suburbs, Inglis Park has quickly become one of the best playgrounds in Sydney after the former horse sales ring was transformed into a seriously engaging play space a few years ago. 

Not only is it far too aesthetically pleasing than any playground has a right to be, but thanks to the incredible work of Arcadia Landscape Architecture, it also has a huge climbing structure, slides, and swings. Plus, there is lots of shade from the surrounding tree coverage. 

Should you fancy a potter, ample seating and two gorgeous wisteria-lined walkways exist. Situated in the Newmarket Randwick precinct, a slew of cafes and restaurants are nearby. 

Best for: Adventurous toddlers and primary school-aged children
Highlights: Extensive climbing structure
Location: 164 Barker Street, Randwick

Clontarf Reserve Playground, Clontarf

If you like your playgrounds with a side of beautiful beach, then you’re in luck. Clontarf Reserve on Middle Harbour is a haven for family-friendly fun. 

The all-ages, inclusive playground is aquatic-themed and has a rope pendulum swing, spinning bowls, a challenging climbing structure, a slippery dip, a seahorse toddler sand play activity area, and a sandstone hermit crab.

Parents can recline under the shade cloths and soak up the harbour views as they watch their little ones play. There’s also a kiosk mere steps away should the kids require a babyccino or the adults need some caffeine. 

Best for: Toddlers and primary school-aged children
Highlights: Clontarf beach
Location: Clontarf Reserve, Sandy Bay Road, Clontarf

Domain Creek Playground, Westmead

Domain Creek Playground in Parramatta Park is another beautiful bushland park loved by locals. It has lots of shade, a flying fox, slides, swings, in-ground trampolines, a water pump, sand diggers, and lots of green space for kids to play in. 

If you want to venture out, there are walking and cycling tracks, barbecue facilities, and plenty of parking. 

Best for: Mixed ages
Highlights: Flying fox, water play, green space
Location: Park Avenue & Park Parade, Westmead

Pirrama Park Playground

Pyrmont boasts a 1.8-hectare award-winning harbourside park with plentiful greenspace and an interactive playground with rope, sand, climbing structures, swings and water play—all with breathtaking views across Johnstons Bay. The park also has picnic areas and open green spaces, making it a perfect spot for family outings and relaxation by the water.

Best for: Mixed ages
Highlights: Interactive playground, climbing structures
Location: Pirrama Road, Pyrmont

Wadanggari Park, St Leonards 

From the same minds that created Inglis Park comes St Leonards’s newest masterpiece, Wadanggari Park. Designed by Arcadia Landscape Architecture and opened at the end of 2023, this sprawling playground features 4,750 square meters of open space, including a plaza, lush lawns, and picnic settings.

The park is an adventure-style playground with three slides, swings, and bridges, complemented by an amphitheatre for community events. It’s also the only park in the country that has been built over a railway line. 

Best for: Mixed ages
Highlights: Sprawling location, adventure-syle playground
Location: 64 Pacific Highway, St Leonards

Federal Park, Annandale

Shade cloth? Tick. Enormous sandpit? Tick. Public toilets? Tick. Federal Park in Annandale is a kid’s wonderland with swings, slides, and climbing structures. Plus, there’s access to water and it’s dog-friendly. 

For older kids, it’s right next to a skate plaza and ramp. The area is lush with native trees and green space galore. A truly special park in the heart of Sydney. 

Best for: Mixed ages
Highlights: Skate park, sandpit, water views
Location: Chapman Road, Annandale

Sydney Park, St Peters

This large inner-city green space is an award-winning regional park that attracts families and the owners of four-legged companions—there is literally space for everyone. You can make yourself comfortable at The Kiosk, which has outdoor seating and rugs while the kids use the nearby playground with its rope climbing structures and modular equipment. Or wander over to the interactive bike track. 

Best for: Mixed ages
Highlights: Rope climbing, bike track
Location: Sydney Park Road, St Peters

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Sydney Playgrounds

What is the best playground in Sydney?
Darling Harbour Playground is widely favoured as the best due to its size, water play, accessibility and age-inclusive design.

Are there fenced playgrounds in Sydney?
Yes—Livvi’s Place, Freshwater Beach Reserve and Federal Park all offer fencing or controlled access areas.

Which Sydney playgrounds have water play?
Darling Harbour Playground, Domain Creek Playground and Freshwater Beach Reserve feature water elements.

Finished working your way through the best playgrounds in Sydney centres in Sydney and planning your next family adventure? Check out our edit of the best family-friendly holidays in Australia, then look at our round-up of the best luxury kid-friendly resorts in NSW.